CATCH-UP ON THE PAST WEEK

I'm going to try and write an overview of this past week. Today is Friday July 10th. Last Friday, the day after Chris left I relaxed more or less all day. Saturday after lunch I went into Antigua to where Clara and Foustina sell on the weekend. I hadn't seen Foustina yet and I wanted to connect with her. I bought a few things from her and then in typical fashion Clara had things she wanted to sell me that I really didn't want to buy but ended up doing so anyway. I also bought a belt, like the ones the ladies wear with there skirts from Clara's sister. Then I stopped at Cafe Barrista and had a salad before going back to the base. It was the Fourth of July and David and Florecita made a special American Fourth of July dinner for us which was fun and they played the song 'God Bless thr U.S.A. Sunday I stayed at the base, read and relaxed most of the day But that night Susy and I went over to Joe and Karin Bedford's and played a game with them and their son Josh. It was good to see them and spend some time visiting with them. Found left overs in the fridge to eat. Monday was the Monday night service the base does at Camino church, and I went. Bruce gave the message and it was pretty good. Tuesday I went into town in the afternoon, talked to Clara and then went to cafe Barrista and got something to eat with her and talked for a while. Florecita made some black beans for dinner (other things also) and they were just really good. I want to find out how she made them. Wednesday was just a chill day. Thursday Karin asked if I wanted to go into Antigua and go to the market with her which I did. It was interesting going to the places where she buys things like her vegetables and stuff at the market. I bought 'roasted' macadamia nuts that they sell at one place she buys stuff. That is the only place I have ever heard of them roasted like that. I went there with her last time I was here and bought some. They are quite different when you first try them and then they were quite addicting and I just keep eating them until they were gone. This time I'm not going to even eat one while I am here so I don't end up eating them all because I want to share them when I get home. I also bought a mango that was totally huge like I had never seen before. It was at least 3 times as big as a normal mango and it cost about $0.80. When Karin was done with her shopping we went and got coffee at this place I had gone to with Aaron last Friday that is outside and is a nursery where they sell plants. Aaron and I got breakfast there last Friday and it was pretty good and it's a pleasant place to sit and visit. At the church Karin, Joe, and their family go to they have a Thursday night service and she asked if I wanted to go. Joe was giving the message that night. I hesitated because I'm not fond of too many 'church meetings' but I went and actually enjoyed it. Joe's message was good and Olga's dad was there and it was good to see him. Today is Friday, Susy and I took the car into town and went to a Bible Study that she has been going to. It was with some of the ladies I had met at Bible Study with Susy the last time I was here and it was good to see them. The study was also very good and I really enjoyed it. Afterwards we ran some errands and then drove to the base and I drove the car. Susy showed me how to get to Olga's house. Driving across Ciudad Viejo is crazy and I'm sure like most towns in Guatemala. The streets are narrow and there and people walking, people on bicycles, people on motorcycles, cars, dogs, big trucks, speed bumps, and just plain crazy to drive. Then we drove to the macadamia nut farm to have lunch. When we left there I passed on driving and let Susy take over. She always says she doesn't like to drive but she is a good driver and knows the ways of driving here. I had macadamia nut pancakes which I really enjoyed. we stopped and got some new wiper blades on the car then went back to the base. I had dinner and now I am typing this.

MONDAY JUNE 29th CHRIS'S BITHDAY

We headed to town early for coffee and a little breakfast. After we got off the bus we saw Maria and invited her to come to McDonalds with us. It was good to be able to share time and breakfast with her. Then we headed over to the Museo de Chocolate for the class we signed up for. It turned out to be really good and fun. We learned the history of chocolate, how it started with the Olmecs then to the Mayas, onto the Aztecs and then the Spanish. how they prepared it for a hot chocolate drink and then was finally made into to chocolate. We ground coco beans, made different hot drinks and finally made our own chocolates from the pure chocolate. Afterwards we went to a Jade store and they had a small museum about Mayan jade and some beautiful jewelry. Then it was Dona Louisa's for lunch. It was good. It had started raining outside but didn't get too bad. We met Susy and went to a travel agency to set up a trip to go to Mayan ruins in Copan Honduras the following morning. We finally made it back to the base and had some dinner. 3:30 Tuesday morning Bruce took us to town to catch the shuttle for our Copan tour. We got to Copan at 10:30 a.m., got checked into our hotel and at 10:50 a tuk tuk came to take us to the ruins so we had no time to rest or eat. The ruins are pretty interesting and amazing. It is hot (low 90's) and humid in Copan. When we got done at the ruins we were pretty exhausted so we rested in our air conditioned hotel for a bit then set out to find some dinner. We found an interesting British restaurant. It turned out to be pretty good and we both enjoyed it. Next morning breakfast at the hotel then left to go back around noon. The shuttle van was pretty full when they came to pick us up but it got worse. It was a 15 passenger van and there ended up with 16 people in it. That was too many but it was what it was. We were suppose to be back to Antigua around 7 but traffic was really bad in Guatemala City and we didn't get back till 8. Again we hadn't eaten all day so we ate at Pollo Campero before catching the bus back to the base. Now it's Thursday and Chris's last day and we have mucho things to do. We head into town on the bus Then catch a tuk tuk to a hotel that has a shuttle that goes up to El Tenedor restaurant. We made it there and had breakfast. It was very good and it a beautiful and interesting place to look around and spend some time. When we got back down from there we found Clara in the park because Chris had told her she would buy a couple things from her. Then we walked over to another hotel that had a shuttle that went to Finca Filadelfia Coffee Farm and we went and did a coffee tour. That was pretty interesting and learned a lot but we had to hustle back to town to go to the Museo de Textiles before it closed at 5 p.m. Made it there around 4:30. It was very interesting and we learned a lot about the clothing they make in the different villages around Guatemala. Had dinner at Cafe Barrista then back to the base to get ready for Chris to leave. At 9 p.m. The driver showed up to take Chris to the Airport.

GUATEMALA ONCE AGAIN 2015

I left home on June 24th so I am now 11 days into my trip. My sister Chris and I started out together with a late flight to L.A. Then on to Guatemala City arriving about 4:45 in the morning. Susy and Olga were there to pick us up. We came to the YWAM base where we were going to stay and unloaded our stuff and got set up in our room. Susy had things to do so Chris, Olga and I headed off to catch the chicken bus to go into Antigua. Chris was about to have some new experiences and we both were going to be kept busy doing everything. We went past McDonalds and I had to take her in and show how beautiful it was and why I liked it so much. We walked to Central Park and right off ran into Clara Luz. She naturally had stuff she wanted to sell us. We went into cafe Barrista to eat and since it was still pretty early the only thing we could order was breakfast. Clara came in and ate with us also. It was pretty good. We went back to the base and Olga had to leave. We ate at the base that night and relaxed since we had pretty much been up since the day before. Priscilla had come with her new husband for a few days and it was good to see her and meet her husband. The next day we took the car into the mechanic shop because the clutch was going out and that is where it ended up until the next Friday before we got it back. Then we went into town to do a few things. I got minutes on my phone, Susy showed us where the Chocolate Museum was and we signed up to take the class on Monday then we went and paid for the shuttle and hotel for the Lake. It was a Holiday weekend for the Guatemalans and we had a tough time finding a room in Panajachel but it worked out and found a place that was pretty nice and right on the street where I like to be. Susy's mother was coming there with a group of people from El Salvador and Susy was staying with her. Then we went to this great coffee place called Fat Cats that is like no others coffee house I have ever seen. They make some very different coffee drinks. We each picked something different and they were all very good. We also saw Maria selling at the park. Clara had told me that Maria's daughter was sick and in the hospital. Sure enough Maria said her daughter had been very sick and they had to move her to the hospital in Guatemala a city. They diagnosed her with lukemia. Maria's husband is out of work so he is in the city staying with the daughter and she is trying to sell and keep things going at home. We prayed with her. We had to head out at 6:30 Saturday morning to catch the chicken bus into town to catch the shuttle for our trip to the lake. We had breakfast at the Bagel Barn. The shuttle ride wasn't bad, we were the only three on it which I liked. We checked into our hotel and then went and had lunch at Posada de Don Rodgriguez then walked down to the lake. Later chris and I went the museum of old Mayan pots they have there. It's pretty interesting. Susy's mom finally made it and we met her which was good. They left and Chris and I explored and bought fun stuff and then finally retired to our room. The next morning was Sunday, we had breakfast at the Hotel which was included and wandered around some more. The town was really busy with people there on holiday. We caught the shuttle back at 4 p.m. and got back to Antigua around seven.

MY FINAL DAY

This is it, my last day here. I leave early in the morning. Susy is going to take me to the airport. This morning has been laid back, waiting for Susy to get ready and then we are going into Antigua. Finally got off for Antigua. Susy, Kalissa, Olga, and I went. Did a couple of errands and then decided to go to the Epicure restaurant again like we did last Saturday, Kalissa had never been there. I got to see Clara and Faostina who were selling at the maket across the street from the restaurant and say goodbye which was nice. The food was good and we enjoyed the time together. Then Susy thought of a place she knew of that is a coffee shop with a delicatessent. It turned out to be a great place. It had different speciality coffee drinks and we all got something different and they were all good and it was fun. By the time we got back to the base it was 5:30 already and Dessie had prepared dinner and had it ready. Karin Bedford stopped bye to say goodbye which was nice and then Susy, Olga, and I went into town for Soul Patrol. I saw Lea and her daughters and said goodbye to them. it has been another very good day. When we got back I had to start packing. I am about done and ready to leave at 5:30 in the morning so I will say goodnight.

RESTAURANTE EL TENEDOR

Yesterday morning we were up and off to pick up Olga's parents to go out to breakfast at a restaurant called El Tenedor. It's up the mountain a ways and is a beautiful place with very different artwork around the grounds. It has amazing views of all the volcanos and the city of Antigua. It was a beautiful morning, a beautiful place, great food, and an awesome time of fellowship with great people. There was Susy, Kalissa, Olga, her mom and dad, and me. I really enjoyed it. We got back to the base just in time to hurry and get some lunch ready for those here at the base. We were still full from breakfast and didn't want lunch. At 2:00 Olga and I took the bus into the market and met Karin Bedford. She was doing her maket shopping and had told me of a place in the market where a lady she knew sold roasted macadamia nuts. I have never seen any macadamia nuts roasted like that and they are different but kind of tasty in their own way so I got some. After dinner we cleaned up and I did some prep with Susy about what I would say at the Pastors breakfast this morning. Susy was in charge of it and had asked Olga and I to talk and Susy interpreted for me. I got to bed late and then we were up and going at 7:30 this morning getting ready for the Pastor's Breakfast. I helped in the kitchen until we got everyone served. It was waffles, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, tortillas, orange juice and coffee. It turned out nice and Susy did a great job with the presentation. After it was all over and the final cleanup was done we were all exhausted and went to our rooms to rest. Kalissa made some "monkey bread" and after dinner we went over to Bri and Aaron's to see the new apartment they had recently moved into. We took the monkey bread (which turned out very good) and had coffee and visited for a while. Their place was pretty nice. When we came back Susy made popcorn and we watched a movie.

3 DECEMBER 2014

Today is Wednesday and I want to catch up on the week so far. On Sunday Susy, Olga, and I went to church and then afterwards we went to the Macadamia Nut Farm to eat. I had macadamia nut pancakes and they were delicious as usual. We stayed for a while and read and relaxed, it's beautiful there. Monday Olga and I took the bus into town and went to the park to see if we could find my friend Maria who sells near there but we didn't see her so we went to MacDonalds. I had a piece of Tarimusu cake and a latte and enjoyed them both. Then Monday night was church as El Camino. Tuesday afternoon Olga and I went into Antigua in the bus to find Clara Luz because I was going to buy something from her. We found her and then we found Maria also. Maria is kind of a loner and often seems sad but Clara is outgoing. I got Maria to sit down with Clara and Olga and Olga told then stuff about our DTS and working with YWAM. They seemed to really enjoy Olga's stories and we had a great afternoon. Tuesday night after dinner Kalissa, Susy, Olga, and I watched the movie Christmas with the Cranks. It was a fun evening. Now that brings me up to today which has been a big day. First thing this morning we did some work here at the base in preparation for the "Pastors Breakfast" they are going to have here on Friday morning. my job was to paint a wall. We had lunch and then all of us went over to a ladies house, Tonya a friend of Susy's, and played cards. There were eight of us and we had a good time. Came back to the base and rested a while while Susy did kids club and then we drove into Antigua to find Maria. We found her and I had a gift I brought to give to her. Susy was able to talk with her and we found out a little about her life. We prayed with her and I am thankful I had was able to connect with her. After that we went to the Wednesday night Bible Study and then finally home to get some dinner. Now I am going to bed.

HAPPENINGS LAST WEEK

Well I have not been a very good blogger this trip, I keep getting behind the curve. I will try to capture the highlights of last weeks happenings. On Monday we were still in Monterrico so Tuesday November 25th Susy and some others were driving into Antigua so I caught a ride with them and went to MacDonalds, one of my favorite places here and had a latte. Hung out there for a while and then took the bus back to help Kalissa get lunch ready. Wednesday I only remember driving into Antigua for the Bible Study and we stopped at the bakery Dona Louisa's and got some yogurt and bagels to have here for breakfast. Thursday was Thanksgiving. There is a store called PriceSmart that is like a Costcos that they have around Central America. The closest one is in Guatrmala City. Kalissa needed to stock up on things for here at the base for a big group of 16 that is coming in a couple of weeks. So a few of us headed out in the van first thing in the morning for PriceSmart. It was a pretty good trip but we got back just in time to head over to Mark and Dayle's house for thanksgiving dinner. Dayle is a good cook and she had prepared a good Thanksgiving meal. Susy, Olga, and I drove over separate because Susy had to leave early. I left with Susy and came back to the base and had a few hours to relax and have some downtime to myself. I enjoyed that. Then later that night Kalissa, Susy, and I watched the second hunger games movie on DVD because we were going the next day to see the new one. Olga had left to go over to her sisters and spend the night. Friday morning Susy, Kalissa, and I went into Antigua to Camino Church to the women's Bible Study they have there. It was pretty interesting. It's a good group of women who attend, I enjoyed it. About 4 in the afternoon we left to drive into Guatemala City to Oakland Mall that has a theater that shows movies in 4D and watched the new Hunger Games movie. It was good and the 4D was interesting. The crazy part was the traffic driving into the city. The traffic was totally unbelievable it was sooooo bad. It took us over 3 hours to make a drive that should have been less than one hour. Saturday Susy, Olga, and I drove into Antigua. We took Olga to the Eye doctors to have her eyes checked and she does need glasses. After that we went over to the small market area they have on Saturday and Sunday where Clara and Faostina both go and sell and I saw Faostina for the first time this trip. It was good to see her. Across the street from where we were is a restaurant and deli called Epicure. We went in and ate and the food was very good, I liked it. Saturday night we came into town for Soul Patrol. I saw Faostina again and Susy and I talked to her. I enjoyed that. Sunday night we came back in for Soul Patrol and it was a good night again. I went into Cafe Baristta and had some food for the first time this trip and it was good. That was my week in a nutshell.